Training for the Training. Or "Pre-Training-Training"

Date: Tuesday 10/28/2008
Distance Ran : 3.01 miles
Total Time : 00:29:50 (0 hours 29 minutes 50 seconds)
Pace: 9:53/mi
Run Time : 5:30 pm
Weather : Cold and Clear. 45° at run


BLOG:
Today was the first day of official "pre-training" for the Shamrock marathon in March. The official training program doesn't start until November 17th but because of some of the weekend races coming up and the fact that this weekend is the Vulcan 10k run I've decided to just do the first week of the training for a few more weeks.

I've been running more and more since I decided to start running again back in August. I'll admit that it's still not easy, but I do seem to have a "sweet spot" somewhere around 10:30/mi that if settle into I can run that for longer distances without hitting the wall. The farthest I've ever run so far is just over 6 miles, but as November goes on that is going to fall away and I'll be neck deep in marathon training before I know it.

The weather has changed in the last few days and it's officially becoming winter. Last week was still somewhat warm, but over the weekend we got some rain and by the time I got off work yesterday it was dipping below 50°. I'm trying to adapt to colder running, but if it's unbearable next week when the clocks roll back I might have to start running in the morning instead of at night. It won't be much warmer, but it won't dark so who knows.

Running in cold weather is much different from the warmer weather that I've pretty much become used to in the last few months. I don't really have much cold weather running gear yet and might need to get some. Last night I ran in a long sleeved shirt, a knit hat, and shorts. It wasn't unbearable but when the wind blew it got pretty chilly, even after I was warmed up with a mile or two. It's different to not be pouring sweat and my breathing is having to adjust. Normally if I get a side cramp I fall back into my "Breath In for 3 counts, out for 3 counts" pattern. But since breathing in through your nose in cold weather makes my eyes water it's difficult to do. I think after a few days of this my body will adjust and I won't have the breathing issues, or at least I hope.

One day down. More to come!